Police arrest 2 alleged dealers after fatal heroin overdose at motel

John Funches, of Hempstead, and Barshawn Potter, of Westbury, were charged with selling heroin to the woman.

LYNBROOK -

Police arrested two alleged heroin dealers after a woman died of an overdose at the Capri Lynbrook Motor Inn in Lynbrook last week, and village officials are looking into whether they can shut down the motel.

Police found the 34-year-old woman's body in a motel room around 7 a.m. on May 3. Hours later, they arrested John Funches, of Hempstead, and Barshawn Potter, of Westbury, for allegedly selling heroin to her.

Neighbors want the motel shut down.

"It's very bad," says Ray Torres, who lives next door. "Too much trafficking going on there."

Area residents say they're fed up with crime there.

"Whether it's drugs, prostitution, you see it all," says Chris Georgoulis. "Just out there, every day."

Lynbrook Mayor Alan Beach says the problems there are so serious that officials are looking into revoking the motel operator's license.

The motel declined to comment on last week's overdose death or the village's probe.

"You want to feel safe to have your kids play in front of the house," Georgoulis says. "But when you see these strange characters walking down the street to go to the motel to make a deal or buy something, it's like, enough is enough."